"Electricity: Car to Home" Clip from Interview with Suzanne Fischer, 2011

Clip transcript:

While electric cars were a serious contender in the early days, they were soon "out powered." But though electricity fizzled out in our cars, it "charged ahead" in our homes. Electricity had powered industry, public transportation, and lighted city streets since the late 19th Century. By the 1910s, electric companies turned to new markets--homes. As houses were wired for electricity, many middle class Americans could now enjoy electric lights. Soon, they could also choose from plenty of electric irons, stoves, toasters, vacuum cleaners and refrigerators. Though electricity was no longer for cars, it moved into the homes of everyday Americans--and stayed there.